Harlequin dwarf pinktoe (Ybyrapora sooretama)

Short answers

Harlequin dwarf pinktoe: How big does the enclosure need to be?

25×25×35 cm tall enclosure (a dwarf arboreal species, height matters).

Harlequin dwarf pinktoe: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Harlequin dwarf pinktoe: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Harlequin dwarf pinktoe: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 10–12 years, males 2–3 years.

Harlequin dwarf pinktoe: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 % (with good ventilation)

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

25×25×35 cm tall enclosure (a dwarf arboreal species, height matters)

Substrate

A thin damp layer of coco plus a vertical cork tube, bromeliads or planting as a reference point to web up

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week or every 10–14 days, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–13 cm leg span (body ~4 cm)

Life expectancy

females 10–12 years, males 2–3 years

Origin

Brazil (the Atlantic rainforest in the south-east)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing. Solitary and cannibalistic; no pair/group housing. The reason is not conflict but predation: these animals take anything that fits in their mouths, and a second animal in the enclosure is included.

Notes

It lives in bromeliad funnels and tree holes. Small, colourful and comparatively even-tempered, but skittish: it bolts at lightning speed and kicks urticating hairs. The young dry out easily.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Brazilian dwarf pinktoe (Ybyrapora diversipes) – Intermediate
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Harlequin dwarf pinktoe (Ybyrapora sooretama) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (25×25×35 cm tall enclosure (a dwarf arboreal species, height matters)), substrate (A thin damp layer of coco plus a vertical cork tube, bromeliads or planting as a reference point to web up), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.